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Summer 2026 Transfer Thread

Villa signed Parma keeper Zion Suzuki for €30 million with another €5 million in potential bonuses. He started all 4 of Japan’s matches at the World Cup. Meanwhile Villa and Juventus are moving closer to a deal for Emi Martinez. Villa have valued him at €10 million. Juve have offered €7 million with another €3 million in add-ons based on team performance.
 
It makes sense, I still hate it. Martinez is on really high wages and has had back to back inconsistent seasons after deservingly being recognized as the worlds number one twice and isn't getting any younger. He's also the best keeper we've ever had obviously and a club legend. I prepared myself for him leaving last summer, since it was pretty clear by him crying in his last match before it that he thought he was going. It seemed like we weren't trying to force him out this summer, but I guess we decided the chance to add his long term replacement was too good to pass up and getting his wages off the books helps our flexibility. It still sucks.
 
Martinez came back from the Wold Cup indicating that he was settled, happy and ready to suit up for Villa this year. That lasted about three weeks and honestly, I’m happy to see him go at this point. He’s been great, no question, but this is the third year in a row he’s been unsettled and his disinterest last fall almost cost Villa a CL spot … because he sucked until about American Thanksgiving when he finally buckled down. It seems he was cool in Birmingham right up until Juve came calling and then bam … he immediately wanted out. Screw it. Go, but not on that freaking add-on deal. Make Juve pay the actual money up front so they can’t weasel out like they’ve done before.
 
Seems a rather low transfer fee for a high profile Prem player when I hear all the other crazy transfer numbers thrown around.. is it age, goalie position, what?
 
And Juve have now apparently backed off the deal. The past few summers have been so unfair to Emi and this is just cruel. He's still a world class keeper and seems like a good teammate. It's so clear that it has been Villa trying to force a move the past few summers, but they've somehow managed to convince fans that Emi has been the one to push his way out.
 
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